Bowen, a 43-year-old Bay Area native, has worked at California, Saint Mary's and De La Salle High School. He replaces Chuck Bell, who resigned Dec. 1 after 6½ years on the job.

Bowen was the *****' director of community affairs and the executive director of the ***** Foundation, overseeing all fund-raising for the club's charities. He joined the ***** in 2002 after two years as an assistant athletic director at Cal, where he also oversaw fund-raising.

Bowen undertakes a difficult job in San Jose, where terrible attendance and years of losing have placed the school's Division I football program in jeopardy. The faculty senate has argued for ending the program -- and the team doesn't have a head coach since Fitz Hill resigned last month.